Real Dad Interview : Kariuki Gitau

1. Which 3 things would you like the MumsVillage audience to know about you?

• I’m 24 years old, and I’m happily married
• I’m a writer but I write better when I’m talking about my son.
• I’m a lover of happiness

2. What is your occupation?

I am a Social Media Manager.

We like Numbers.

1. How many kids do you have and what are their ages? I have a son-he is 10 months old

2. How many diapers do you think you’ve changed? Countless!

3. How many selfies do you take in a week? I’d say one or two.

4. How many videos of your kids do you take in a week? Dozens.

Now on to Other Fun Questions

1. How did becoming a Dad change your personality?

I now take life a bit too seriously. I even take note of my weight.

3. How do you play (or try to) with your kids?

I play peek-a- boo with him. He really enjoys it. He’s like a puppy.

4. What is the most memorable thing about being a new Father in Nairobi?

Suddenly everyone respects me. They value my opinions and think highly of me. Its kind of awesome. I am really getting used to it.

5. What do you think is the most inaccurate thing about how movies portray childbirth?

The weight of a newborn baby. New born babies are actually so tiny!

6. Share something your child has recently done or said to make you laugh?

He grabbed his mum’s phone and called his grandmother ‘by mistake’ and started shouting at her. Oh did I mention, it was almost midnight?!

7. How did you choose your kid(s)’ name(s) and what do they mean?

I named my son after my dad. I have so much respect for him, and so it went without saying.

Read more: Musings of a seasoned new dad

Share your tips with others

1. What are the top 3 kids places for fun in your neighbourhood?
I live in Kinoo, there are not enough if any, places where kids could play and have fun. They do so in their estates.

2. Which activities do you regularly engage in for recreation with your family?

We watch a lot of movies and visit other young families.

Your Nostalgia of the Past and Hopes for the Future

1. In what way do you hope the workplace will be different for your kids?

If they set aside a kids section or playground where they can play so that it can be easier to take them to work with us sometimes! Also they should increase the parternity leave to 3 months! (giggles)

2. Do you think your job will exist when your kids are your age-why or why not?

Yes I think it’ll still be around. Social Media is only getting bigger and more relevant.

3. What is the one thing or experience you never had that you want for your kids?

I never went into a bouncing castle. Can you imagine that? I have to take my son to one of those things. It looks like a lot of fun.

4. And on the flip-side, what is the one thing or experience you wish your child could have from your childhood that they can’t?

A nice beating. Especially using a belt.

5. What is one thing you miss about your life before your kids?

That is a no-brainer. Life of the PARTY!! I can’t believe I had to say goodbye to it so soon.

Read more: I’m a Father Now!

6. What is the most annoying interview question you’ve been asked that you’re glad
we didn’t?

To be honest, this is my first interview and so far, so good.

7. Your work can be likened to your first-born, or your third-born perhaps. How did you make sure it did not take away too much of your attention from the rest of your family?

My family is small so it’s not hard to keep tabs with everyone.

8. In what ways is your parenting style similar to your Father? In what ways is it different?

I have no idea. I like to think that I’m so different from my dad but a lot of people tell me that we are alike. Maybe I’ll know when my son gets older and starts making the same mistakes I did or I’m doing.

Follow Kariuki’s Fatherhood journey on his Blog.